An auto-biographical re-telling of the frightening events that took place on the streets of Toronto during the 2010 G20 summit protests, which saw the largest mass arrest in Canadian history and resulted in a $14.6M class action lawsuit.
Catch You Should Have Stayed Home at PXR:
- Nov 11th @ 8pm ET
- Nov 15th @ 6pm ET
- Nov 16th @ 6pm ET
We join Tommy Taylor as he recounts his journey attending his first ever protest in the “Free Speech Zone” at Queen’s Park before being swept up in a mass arrest and detained at the Eastern Avenue Detention Centre.
Originally a stage play that toured Canada in 2012, You Should Have Stayed Home was presented in virtual reality as part of FOLDA 2022.
Directed by Michael Wheeler and performed by actor and playwright Tommy Taylor, the play presents a virtual adaptation of Tommy’s original Facebook note, How I Got Arrested and Abused at the G20 in Toronto, which has been translated into seven languages and appeared in twenty-one countries. Today, Tommy’s story takes on urgent new meaning in the context of the ever-rising tensions and public dialogue on police violence, protest, and institutional reform.
Credits
Tommy Taylor – Playwright and Performer
Michael Wheeler – Director
Laura Levin – Dramaturg
Jayna Mees – Assistant Dramaturg and Research Assistant
Justine Katarenchuk – Stage and Production Manager
Anna Villeneuve – Associate Producer and VR Chat Cinematographer (IRL Presentation)
Beth Kates – VR Theatre Consultant / Virtual Lighting Designer
David Mesiha – Virtual Sound Designer
Seyed Tabatabaei – Lead VR Developer
Anthony Aloisio – UDON Developer
Rea Goldson – Avatar Designer
Flora Diep – Student Developer
Michaelah Wales – Student Developer
Zarrin Tasnim – Student Developer
Content Warnings
You Should Have Stayed Home contains:
-Images of police brutality and physical violence
-Descriptions of physical and emotional abuse
-Homophobic remarks
-Sexist remarks
-References to ableist remarks
-References to racial profiling
-Temporary use of colourful flashing lights
-Temporary exposure to confined spaces
-Possibility of experiencing VR motion sickness
